Lanzer`s off-range musings

Lee Seating Plug for Nosler JHP bullets

Just started reloading 45ACP ammo since I just built my first 1911. I love my Lee Turret Press as it’s reliable and inexpensive. Though today I came across a particular problem –

Bullets do not seat evenly on my 45ACP ammo.

I’m reloading with Nosler 185gr jacketed hollow point bullets, and I noticed that the bullet seating plug was designed with round nose bullets in mind. Up until now I thought bullet seaters are generic, boy was that a silly assumption.

(of course a round nose seating plug won’t play nice with JHP)

Couldn’t find other seating plug profiles available, which is strange, but I suppose they can’t make one for every bullet manufacture out there. Lee is nice enough to offer custom made seating plugs for $8 plus shipping, which is a great service, though I’m not gonna wait for 4 to 6 weeks to get my own seating plug. 🙂

A quick trip to the lathe, and I got myself a seating plug that fits relatively well. Just for kicks, I fashioned a rod in the middle to fill the profile of the hollow point.

As a final step I put some epoxy into the plug and squeezed the bullet in so I get an exact mold.

(can’t draw a line around the bullet when its crooked)

Now every bullet seats properly, and it’ll be interesting to try and compare accuracy between a properly seated and off-center bullet some time.

As far as powder goes, I’m starting with N320, and will try Bullseye and Titegroup just for kicks. 🙂